Casting material

ABSTRACT

A medical bandaging product having a moisture curable hardening agent and a flexible liquid-permeable braided and/or tubular fabric substrate for casting or splinting, a method of manufacture of such a medical bandaging product, and a bandaging system comprising such a bandaging product within a moisture impervious package with means for resealing the package.

This application is a national stage application, according to Chapter Iof the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This application claims the prioritydate of Jan. 10, 2000 for Great Britain Patent Application No.0000331.9.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of orthopaedic medicine and morespecifically to an improved medical bandage formed of a moisture curableresin and a flexible permeable substrate, a method of manufacture ofsuch a medical bandaging product, and a bandaging system comprising sucha bandage within a moisture impervious package with means for resealingthe package against entry of moisture.

Medical bandages for use in the treatment of injuries, such as brokenbones requiring immobilisation of a body part, are generally formed froma strip of fabric or scrim material impregnated with a substance thathardens into a rigid structure after the strip has been wrapped aroundthe body member. The hardening substance traditionally used in carryingout this procedure is Plaster of Paris.

Conventional practice has been to fabricate or splint upon an injuredlimb by initially applying to the limb a protective covering of a cottonfabric or the like and then overwrapping the covering and limb with awoven cloth impregnated with Plaster of Paris which has been wetted bydipping in water immediately prior to application. This is still inwidespread use but possesses several significant disadvantages. Forexample, the above described application procedure is messy and timeconsuming. Several components are required and considerable skill isnecessary.

In order to alleviate the above-recited disadvantages of the applicationprocedure for Plaster of Paris casts and splints, unitary splintingmaterials have been devised and are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,900,024, 3,923,049 and 4,235,228.

All of these patents describe a padding material with a plurality oflayers of Plaster of Paris impregnated cloth.

Such unitary splinting materials are not as messy and can be appliedmore quickly but still suffer from a number of disadvantages inherent inPlaster of Paris materials.

All Plaster of Paris splints have a relatively low strength to weightratio, which results in a finished splint that is very heavy and bulky.

Plaster of Paris splints are slow to harden, requiring 24 to 72 hours toreach maximum strength. Since Plaster of Paris breaks down in water,bathing and showering are difficult.

Even if wetting due to these causes can be avoided, perspiration over anextended period can break down the Plaster of Paris and create asignificant problem with odour and itching.

A significant advance in the art of casting and splinting is disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,411,262 and 4,502,479.

The casting materials disclosed in these patents comprise a flexiblefabric impregnated with a moisture curing resin enclosed in a moisturefree, moisture impervious package.

Compared to Plaster of Paris, these products are extremely lightweight,have a very high strength to weight ratio and can be made relativelyporous, permitting a flow of air through the casting material.

Prior art moisture curing systems included a package within which iscontained a plurality of layers of fabric, such as fibreglass,impregnated with a moisture curing resin.

No provision is made for re-closing the package, so that the entirematerial must be very quickly used after removal from the package sincesuch moisture curing resins will cure in a relatively short period duemerely to contact with atmospheric moisture.

This technology has permitted the development of lightweight, easy toapply splints, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,770,299, 4,869,049,4,899,738, 5,003,970 and 5,415,622. Such splints now dominate the marketfor medical splints.

However, known fabrics have the disadvantage that, if the fabric, e.g.fibreglass, is cut this may leave cut fibres and yarns projecting fromthe splinting material.

As manufactured, this fabric is relatively soft and flexible, and hasrelatively good conformability. Moreover, the substrate is fullyenclosed with the surrounding padding material.

After curing, however, the cut fibres and yarns become hard andneedle-like. These projections can project through the thickness of thepadding material into contact with the skin of the patient causingskin-sticks, cuts, irritation and itching.

Moreover, the splinting manufacturing process utilising flat fabric isrelatively labour intensive since the fabric must be overlaid with otherlayers of fabric, usually 4 to 8, to produce the substrate. In order toproperly form the substrate, the overlaid layers must be carefullyaligned so that the width and thickness are even.

In instances where the multiple overlaid layers are stitched together,even more labour is required. Such multi-layered fabrics tend to bebulky and may require a high proportion of resin, further adding to theweight of the finished product. Several layers can mean the product isdifficult to handle, whereby each additional layer may reduceflexibility.

Most fabrics used for the substrates of casting and splinting materialsare knitted fabrics, as these are inexpensive and readily available.However, knitted fabrics have the disadvantage that there may be limitedwidth-ways conformability

Knitted products may also suffer from the disadvantage of having limitedtorsional stiffness and directionally specific properties, which can beimportant for the treatment of specific injuries.

Linear fabrics of knitted orthopaedic products often require arelatively large amount of hardening agent, typically 40% by weight ofthe total weight.

From the above discussion, it can be seen that both the conventionalPlaster of Paris casting method and the more recent moisture curableresin casting method possess both advantages and disadvantages.

On the one hand, Plaster of Paris casts are bulky, heavy and difficultto apply whereas moisture curable resin casts are lightweight, durableand relatively easy to apply.

Plaster of Paris can be very easily stored and used as needed since ithas a relatively long shelf life so long as it is not completely wetted.

On the other hand, the moisture curable resins are very sensitive to thepresence of even minute amounts of moisture, which requires that eitherthe material be packaged in a wide variety of different shapes and sizesor unused portions be discarded, generating a substantial amount ofwaste and increasing the effective cost of the product.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide abandaging product that has a substrate that is uniform in dimensionwithout the requirement for additional fabrication steps after formationof the substrate.

It is an object of the invention to provide a bandaging product that hasa braided or tubular substrate that does not require additional layersfor strength.

It is an object of the invention to provide a bandaging product thatutilises a tubular braided fabric structure as a bandaging substrate.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a bandaging productthat combines the advantages of both Plaster of Paris and moisturecurable resin systems while avoiding their respective disadvantages.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention there isprovided a medical bandaging product having a moisture curable hardeningagent and a flexible liquid-permeable substrate wherein the flexibleliquid permeable substrate is a braided and/or tubular fabric.

In one embodiment, the substrate will carry the hardening agent inand/or on its structure, ready for easy curing and application.

Surprisingly it has been found that the use of a braided and/or tubularfabric for the flexible permeable substrate of a bandaging product gavea product that prior to curing or hardening is easy to handle with goodconformability but which after curing gives a rigid strong orthopaedicproduct.

This gives an orthopaedic product, such as a casting or splintingproduct that is stronger and wears better against abrasions, than thecasts of the prior art for similar weight of products. The bandagingproducts of the present invention therefore have a longer useful life asan orthopaedic cast or splint.

Having a stronger cast as described by the present invention also allowsless hardening agent to be used to cure and harden the bandagingproduct, thus being cheaper and easier to manufacture.

Using less hardening agent and layers of fabric for a bandaging productas described in the present invention also gives a lighter product thatmay still have the required strength needed for an orthopaedic cast orsplint.

Having less hardening agent to cure also gives a reduced exotherm, theheat produced on curing which may be uncomfortable to the user.

In one embodiment, the substrate will be braided.

It has surprisingly been found that the braided and/or tubular structurehas enhanced physical properties including added strength and enhancedtorsional rigidity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of manufacture of a medical bandaging product carrying amoisture curable agent comprising the step of applying a moisturecurable agent to a braided and/or tubular substrate. In one embodiment,the substrate will be braided.

The last object of the invention (to provide a bandaging product thatcombines the advantages of both Plaster of Paris and moisture curableresin systems while avoiding their respective disadvantages) isaccomplished by providing a unitary splinting system with improvedstrength and convenience.

Thus, in a third aspect of the present invention there is provided abandaging system comprising a bandaging product comprising a moisturecurable agent in and/or on a substrate within a moisture imperviouspackage with means for resealing the package against entry of moistureafter a desired length of bandaging product has been removed for use.

In this manner, hardening of the bandaging product remaining in themoisture impervious package is prevented thereby increasing the costeffectiveness of the system.

In one embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention there isprovided a bandaging system comprising a bandaging product comprising amoisture curable agent in and/or on a substrate that is braided and/ortubular.

The braided and/or tubular fabric of the substrate comprised in abandaging product may be provided in several significantly advantageousembodiments. For example, it may be a non-tubular braid, e.g. a webbingstrap, formed as a length of flat braided material.

It may alternatively be a tube seamed from a length of flat materialthat is looped around and suitably attached to form a tubular structureof the present invention, preferably with the raw ends of the flatpositioned on the inside of the tube.

The material that is looped around and suitably attached to form atubular structure of the present invention may be braided.

The braided and/or tubular fabric of the substrate comprised in abandaging product may be made of any suitable fibres or yarns orcombinations thereof.

Suitable fibres include polyester fibres, carbon fibres and jutealthough any natural or synthetic fibre that can be spun into a suitableyarn or monofilament material and braided may be used.

It is envisaged that in a preferred embodiment that the braided and/ortubular fabric will contain glass fibres.

Resilient fibre such as elastomers e.g. polypropylene fibres can also beused, whether alone or in combination with other fibres, to enhance togive desired properties such as extensibility and impact resistance.

The structure of the braided and/or tubular substrate may be initiallymanufactured as a braided and/or tubular structure or may first bemanufactured as a flat, optionally braided material that is loopedaround and suitably attached to form the braided and/or tubularstructure of the present invention.

Preferably, the braided and/or tubular substrate is manufacturedinitially as a braided and/or tubular structure ready for use in thepresent invention, e.g. formed of a suitable fibre such as fibreglassinto a webbing strap, formed as a length of flat braided material on abraiding machine, or into length of braided tube on a circular braidingmachine.

Embodiments of the present invention may have the fibres nominally at+/−45 degrees to each other thus offering excellent torsional rigidity.

The angle of the fibres of the braid may vary, offering a wide range ofdifferent torsional rigidity properties.

The stretch of the material, whether width ways or lengthways will varythe angle of the fibres relative to each other.

It is envisaged that when the braided and/or tubular substrate isstretched lengthways the fibres will run along the lengthways directionat a smaller angle from the lengthways axis then when the braided and/ortubular substrate is stretched widthways.

When the angle of the fibres running lengthways is small when measuredfrom the lengthways axis the substrate has greater lengthways strengththan when the angle is large.

Likewise, when the angle of the fibre running widthways is small whenmeasured from the widthways axis the substrate has greater widthwaysstrength than when the angle is small.

Further variations of torsional rigidity may be possible by theinclusion of unidirectional fibres.

These fibres can be laid lengthways or widthways depending on thedesired effect required. Such fibres may be elastic fibres.

In short, it is the fibre orientation that gives different structuralproperties, for instance torsional rigidity, to the braided and/ortubular substrate.

The present invention allows easy changing of the fibre orientation thusenabling a wide range of different rigidity properties of the substrate.

The moisture curable hardening agent used with the bandage of thepresent invention may be any suitable agent that when cured hardens thebandage to form the orthopaedic support product. A number ofcommercially available hardening agents are widely available includingPlaster of Paris and synthetic resins.

Suitable hardening agents include water curable synthetic resins forcasting or splinting products, such as urethane resins formed from thereaction of a polyol with an excess of polyisocyanate (as disclosed inpatent applications GB 2092606 A and WO 86/01397). Other suitable agentsinclude an alkoxy silane terminated prepolymer (disclosed in WO96/23531)or an acrylic terminated prepolymer.

These are stronger and wear better against abrasions, than the castsfrom similar weight products.

The hardening agent may be applied separately to the substrate prior tocuring, or the substrate may carry the hardening agent. In a preferredembodiment, the substrate will carry the hardening agent ready for easycuring and application.

Having a bandaging product whereby the substrate carries the hardeningagent helps ensure even distribution of the hardening agent throughoutthe substrate.

Suitably the hardening agent will be coated evenly on the substrate andmay typically have a hardening agent coating of around 20% of the totalweight of the product.

The braided and/or tubular structure also enables the finished productto have a variety of different thicknesses. In different circumstances athick, or thin, bandage may be required and the braided and/or tubularstructure may be shaped accordingly.

The thickness of the structure may offer different strength andstiffness properties, which according to what is required theappropriate thickness can be chosen.

Suitable a methods of applying a moisture curable agent to a braidedand/or tubular substrate include conventional methods of applying amoisture curable agent to a similar substrate for casting or splintingproducts, such as nip coating and impregnation.

In one embodiment, the substrate will be braided and such methods ofapplying a moisture curable agent to a braided and/or tubular substrateinclude conventional methods for casting or splinting products, such asnip coating and impregnation.

In use the braided and/or tubular substrate may, optionally, be pulledover a core of, for example, foam or COREMAT™, (COREMAT is a Trade Markof British Vita) to give extra strength or stiffness to the structure.

Different sized cores may be used to give a product of various strengthsand stiffness as well as thickness.

The core may be supplied in place, within the braided and/or tubularbraid and ready for use, or may be supplied separately.

In embodiments where a core is to be used, the width of core may bepredetermined in order to determine the correct stretch required of thebraided and/or tubular bandage to have the desired torsional rigidityproperty. Different predetermined widths of core may be used fordifferent torsional rigidity properties.

Different braids, or different designs of braids, may be used to givedifferent properties to the braided and/or tubular structure.

For instance, if enhanced properties are required along the length ofthe product, unidirectional fibres can be laid down. If the torsionalproperties are less important, a wider braid can be used and pulled tobring the fibres closer to unidirectional.

It is envisaged that the bandaging product of the present invention willbe suitably stored in a container prior to use.

The container used to store the bandaging product of the presentinvention may be made from any tough durable tear resistant materialthat will not tear or rip during rough handling, but preferably whichcan be easily opened by hand. Preferably, this material should beimpervious to liquid and gas.

Such materials may be metallic foil or plastics e.g. polyethylene or thelike, or laminates thereof.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the container protectingthe bandaging product will be resealable so that the entire bandagingproduct is not required to be used at once.

A suitable resealing means will be employed to reseal the container ofthe bandaging product.

The container protecting the bandaging product will often comprise amoisture free, moisture impervious package that is resealable, so thatthe entire bandaging product is not required to be used at once.

Suitable materials and properties for the resealable containerprotecting the bandaging product will be as described by way of exampleonly with reference to a general container protecting the bandagingproduct above.

As described, it may be of metallic foil or plastics e.g. polyethyleneor the like, or laminates thereof.

By way of example only, the container protecting the bandaging productwill often comprise a moisture free, moisture impervious enlargedproduct storage package, which is integral and communicates with one endof a dispensing sleeve, through which the medical bandaging product inthe container is dispensed.

A coil of the medical bandaging product is positioned in the package andthe elongate dispensing sleeve may fit snugly around the running end ofthe medical bandaging product.

The farther end of the dispensing sleeve is openable, but resealable, sothat the entire bandaging product is not required to be used at once.

The medical bandaging product may be coiled into a relatively tight coilthat limits exposure to air of the medical bandaging product remainingin the container.

The snug fit of the elongate dispensing sleeve around the running end ofthe medical bandaging product also limits exposure to air of the medicalbandaging product remaining in the container.

When the end is properly sealed, the container is sufficiently airtightso that the medical bandaging product remains in its soft, uncured statefor much longer that the usual length of time needed to exhaust thesupply of medical bandaging product in the container.

If a short length of the medical bandaging product adjacent to theopening should happen to harden, it can be cut away and discarded.

A suitable resealing means will be employed to reseal the interior ofcontainer securely against intrusion of moisture, e.g. heat-sealing, ora clamp of any suitable type, such as a scissors type clamp.

Other types of sealing mechanisms are possible such as, for example, asoft, conformable gasket device with spring loaded compression, or a“zip-lock” type integrally formed zipper of a type typical on sandwichbags and other food storage bags, moisture proof tape, or a screw actionof sufficient strength to prevent entry of moisture into the sleeve.

One particular suitable device is a pair of spring loaded rollers whichas compression takes place rolls slightly backwards, pushing the medicalbandaging product back slightly into the sleeve to permit a better seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view showing the medical bandagingproduct being dispensed from a dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the unused portion of themedical bandaging product being resealed to prevent entry of moisture;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view with parts broken away of a cut length ofmedical bandaging product;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section taken substantially along lines 4—4of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a length of the medical bandagingproduct with the substrate layer exposed for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a length of braided tubular knittedsubstrate;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the braided tubular knitted substrate in aflattened condition, as it will be incorporated into the medicalbandage;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the substrate shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, showing theflatted braided tubular substrate positioned in the padding to form themedical bandage;

FIG. 10 illustrates the activation of the moisture curable resin bywetting;

FIG. 11 shows the medical bandaging product after removal from thesleeve being formed to fit the contour of a body member;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the hardening medical bandaging productbeing secured into place on a body member by means of a covering wrap;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a dispensing container for holding themedical bandaging product according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a vertical side elevation with partial cross-section of thedispensing container shown in FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a carton into which the dispensingcontainer, also shown, is positioned.

FIG. 16 is a view of the braid fibres or yarns at approximately 45degrees to each other, and approximately 45 degrees to both thehorizontal axis and vertical axis across the bandage.

FIG. 17 is a view of the braid fibres or yarns at approximately 30degrees from the horizontal axis across the bandage and approximately 60degrees from the vertical axis across the bandage.

FIG. 18 is a view of the braid fibres or yarns at approximately 60degrees from the horizontal axis across the bandage and approximately 30degrees from the vertical axis across the bandage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 there is shown a medical bandaging product (10) according tothe present invention. The medical bandaging product (10) may be sold inany convenient length, such as 7.2 meters, and, for example, is rolledinto a coil and positioned in a suitable dispenser carton (11).

The dispenser carton (11) is provided with a slot (12) at one lowercorner through which the bandaging product (10) may extend.

The bandaging product (10) is comprised generally of an outer elongatesleeve (13) which is formed of a moisture impervious material, such astwo laminated elongated sheets place in registration and heat sealedalong its opposite sides to form a tube.

The outer layer is formed of a tear resistant plastic film.

The middle layer comprises aluminium foil and acts as a moisturebarrier.

The inner layer is a plastic film having thermoplastic propertiessuitable for heating-sealing the interior of sleeve (13) securelyagainst moisture.

The sleeve (13) is preferably heat sealed along opposite, parallelextending sides to form an elongate tube.

An elongate medical bandaging product (14), described in detail below,is positioned within the sleeve (13) and is maintained in substantiallymoisture free conditions until dispensed.

As is shown in FIG. 2, the end of the sleeve (13) is sealed with sealingmeans, such as a scissors type clamp (15).

Other types of sealing mechanisms are possible such as, for example, asoft, conformable gasket device with spring loaded compression, moistureproof tape, or screw action of sufficient strength to prevent entry ofmoisture into the sleeve (13).

One particular suitable device (not shown) is a pair of spring loadedrollers which as compression takes place rolls slightly backwards,pushing the medical bandaging product (14) back slightly into the sleeve(13) to permit a better seal.

Another possible sealing means (not shown) is a device which pushes themedical bandaging product (14) back into the sleeve (13) a sufficientdistance (approximately 2.5 cm), so that the open end sleeve (13) may beheat sealed once again.

Since the approximate length of the medical bandaging product (14) isbest determined by measurement, measurement marks “M” may be printed onone edge of the sleeve (13) as is best shown in FIG. 3.

Once the appropriate length of medical bandaging product (14) has beendispensed and cut from the roll, it is removed from sleeve (13), it isremoved from the sleeve (13) and the sleeve (13) is discarded.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, in another embodiment of the presentinvention the medical bandaging product (14) comprises a braided tubularsubstrate (16) which is preferably formed by a braiding yarn formed of asuitable fibre such as fibreglass into a tube on a circular braidingmachine enclosed with a length of tubular wrapping (18).

Substrate (16) may alternatively be formed by seaming a length of flatbraided material into a tube with the raw ends of the tube positioned onthe inside of the tube by turning the tube inside out. However, becauseof the labour involved in these manufacturing steps, braiding the tubeis believed to be the most efficient and cost effective means of formingthe substrate.

By braiding the substrate (16), the principal remaining constructionstep is to cut the braided tube to length so that it is generallycorresponds to the length of the sleeve (13) into which the preparedmedical bandaging product (14) will be packaged.

The medical bandaging product (14) may be formed in any needed width,for example between 2.5 cm and 20 cm.

One preferred embodiment comprises a 7.5 cm wide medical (14) positionedwithin a 10 cm wide sleeve (13). In general, the sleeve (13) variesbetween 7.5 to 25 cm and within that range can accommodate medicalbandaging product having widths of 2.5 cm and 20 cm.

As shown FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, substrate (16) is formed by flattening thebraided tube (FIG. 6) to form two major, longitudinally-extended sides(16A), (16B) (FIGS. 7 and 8).

The flattened tube also forms two opposed, folded side edges (16C),(16D) of the substrate (16).

In contrast to prior art constructions, which include raw, cut edgeswith a multitude of exposed and outwardly projecting yarn and fibreends, these side edges (16C), (16D) are rounded, smooth, integral anduncut.

Thus, there are no exposed cut ends to harden into sharp, needle likeprojections when the curing of the moisture resin is completed.

In addition, the substrate is strengthened by the braided tubular layersacting as a double layer, continuous structure.

No sewing is required to align the layers, and the manufacturer hasgreater control over the width of the medical bandaging product (14).

A short length of the substrate (16) is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.Ordinarily, the substrate (16) will be in much longer lengthscoextensive with the length of the material (14) to be formed.

While cut edges are formed on the ends of the substrate (16) whensevered from the length of medical bandaging product (14), these endscan be folded inwardly and/or covered with a double thickness of thebraided and/or tubular wrapping (18) (FIG. 9)

The braided tubular wrapping (18) is formed of a soft, flexiblenon-woven fibre such as polypropylene or some other suitable hydrophobicfibre such as is presently used on Ortho-Glass™ brand syntheticsplinting material manufactured by the Casting Division of Smith &Nephew, Inc., this product provides a cushioning protective layerbetween the skin of the patient and hardened substrate (16).

Substrate (16) is impregnated or coated with a reactive system whichremains stable when maintained in substantially moisture free conditionsbut which hardens upon exposure to sufficient moisture to form a rigid,self supporting structure.

As is shown in FIG. 10, moisture curing is activated by dipping themedical bandaging product (14) in water.

Then excess moisture is squeezed from the medical bandaging product (14)by, for example, rolling up in a towel.

Alternatively, moisture curing can take place over a longer period byallowing contact between the reactive system on substrate (16) andatmospheric moisture.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an appropriate length of the medical bandagingproduct (14) is formed to the shape of the body member to beimmobilised.

This particular type of splint, known as a posterior short leg splint,is formed by moulding a length of the medical bandaging product (14) tothe calf and up over the heel and onto the foot. Then, medical bandagingproduct (14) is overwrapped with a conventional elastic bandage, as isshown in FIG. 12.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the medical bandaging product according toanother embodiment of the invention is shown at broad reference numeral(30).

The medical bandaging product (14) is positioned within a container (31)which is formed of two laminated sheets placed in register and heatsealed along a common seam to form a moisture proof container of thesame material and construction as the sleeve (13).

The outer layer is formed of a tear resistant plastic film and themiddle layer comprises an aluminium foil and acts as a moisture barrier.

The inner layer is a plastic film having thermoplastic propertiessuitable for heat-sealing the interior of container (31) securelyagainst intrusion of moisture.

As is also shown in FIG. 11, container (31) comprises an elongatedispensing sleeve (32) having an openable end (33). Through this, themedical bandaging product (14) in the container (31) is dispensed.

A coil of the medical bandaging product (14) is positioned in anenlarged product storage package (34), which is integral andcommunicates with dispensing sleeve (32).

The end (33) of dispensing sleeve (32) may be sealed with a clamp (36)of any suitable type, for example, the clamp (36) described above, or a“zip-lock” type integrally formed zipper of a type which is typical onsandwich bags and other food storage bags.

As is shown in FIG. (14), the dispensing sleeve (32) fits snugly aroundthe medical bandaging product (14) in order to limit exposure of themedical bandaging product (14) to air that enters when the opening (33)is not sealed.

FIG. 14 also illustrates that a desired length of medical bandagingproduct (14) is dispensed by removing clamp (36) and grasping theexposed end of the medical bandaging product (14).

The appropriate length is pulled out of container (31) the medicalbandaging product (14) uncoiling in the storage package (34).

When the proper length has been dispensed through opening (33), it iscut and the end of the material (14) remaining in the container (31) istucked back into the dispensing sleeve (32). The open end (33) isquickly resealed with the clamp (36).

As shown in FIG. (15), the medical bandaging product (30) can be placedinside a dispensing carton (11), with the dispensing sleeve (32) ofcontainer (31) projecting out of the slot in the bottom of carton (11).

Referring to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 the braid fibres or yarns are shown atdifferent angles from the horizontal, or widthways, axis across thebandage and at different angles from the vertical, or lengthways, axisacross the bandage.

When the tubular braided substrate is stretched lengthways the fibreswill run along the lengthways direction at a smaller angle from thelengthways axis, as shown in FIG. 18, then when the tubular braidedsubstrate is stretched widthways, as shown in FIG. 17.

Thus, the braided tubular structure as shown in FIG. 18 has greaterlengthways strength than the braided tubular structure shown in FIG. 17.Accordingly, the braided tubular structure shown in FIG. 17 has greaterwidthways strength than the braided tubular structure shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 16 shows a braided tubular structure whereby the lengthways andwidthways strength are approximately equal.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical bandaging product adapted for beingstored in a moisture-impervious package prior to use, comprising amoisture-curable hardening agent and a flexible, liquid-permeablebraided fabric substrate defining a circumferential member with an opencross-section flattened so as to define two major,longitudinally-extended sides and two opposed, folded side edges.
 2. Amedical bandaging product according to claim 1, wherein said substrateis impregnated with said hardening agent.
 3. A medical bandaging productaccording to claim 1, wherein said substrate is coated with saidhardening agent.
 4. A medical bandaging product according to claim 1,wherein said circumferential member is formed from length of flatbraided material.
 5. A medical bandaging product according to claim 1,wherein said circumferential member is formed from tubular braid.
 6. Amedical bandaging product according to claim 1, wherein said substratefurther comprises a plurality of sets of fibers, wherein each of saidsets is positioned at a 45 degree angle relative to at least one of theother sets.
 7. A bandaging system, comprising a bandaging productincluding a moisture-curable agent impregnated into or coated onto asubstrate, said bandaging product removably positioned within a moistureimpervious container adapted for being resealed against entry ofmoisture after a desired length of the bandaging product has beenremoved from said container for use, wherein said substrate comprises aflexible, liquid permeable braided fabric substrate defining acircumferential member with an open cross-section flattened so as todefine two major, longitudinally-extended sides and two opposed, foldedside edges.
 8. A bandaging system according to claim 7, wherein saidcontainer further comprises an enclosure formed of a moisture-imperviousmaterial and including an elongate dispensing sleeve adapted for beingresealed to prevent moisture from entering said enclosure, saidbandaging product being positioned in the enclosure for being dispensedin a desired use length from the sleeve.
 9. A bandaging system accordingto claim 8, wherein said bandaging product further comprises a rollpositioned within the enclosure and including a free end positioned inthe dispensing sleeve in a single length along the length of the sleeveand sealed therein against entry of moisture until use.